Report: Murrells Inlet man covered woman in lighter fluid

GARDEN CITY, SC (WMBF) One man is facing criminal domestic violence charges after reportedly throwing lighter fluid on a woman over the weekend.

A police report from Horry County Police says officers responded to a domestic dispute on Offshore Drive in Garden City Friday night after the victim retreated to a neighbor's home.

The neighbor that reported the incident told police he believed the suspect, 54-year-old Donald Wayne Faust, had fled the scene.

The female victim was wiping off with a towel when police arrived, and they noted a strong smell of charcoal lighter fluid.

The victim reported that Faust had become very angry when he could not locate his cigarettes and started yelling, even following her to the bathroom as he ranted.

Faust reportedly cornered the victim and said, "If you don't tell me what you did with my cigarettes, I'll light you on fire," as he held a can of lighter fluid and a lighter in his hands.

The victim says she ran after Faust covered her in the lighter fluid, but he grabbed her and threw her on the floor, before she was able to escape.

Police searched the residence, but did not locate Faust in the home. They did note there was a clear liquid covering the bathroom sink and floor. After a search of the area, police located Faust in the woods behind his home.

Faust was arrested and charged with criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature. He remains incarcerated at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center under a $2,500 bond.

The report says Faust was charged with the same offense in 2011 for breaking a woman's wrist.